Flow Controlled Powder Dispensing Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a powder dispenser apparatus with valve operation. The dispenser apparatus comprises a replaceable container for holding a powdered material, a dispensing assembly, and a powder receptacle to receive the powder and to activate the valve assembly, and a removable cover for the valve assembly. The dispensing assembly comprises a sealing feature and a valve actuator rotationally biased by a spring. User operation rotates the valve actuator against its spring bias, thereby moving the valve and opening the sealing feature, allowing powder to dispense.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a first-filed invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly, to adispensing apparatus and method for dispensing flowable solid materials.

Devices are known for filling receptacles with granular, particulate,and/or powdered materials that are transported from a storage containerinto a receptacle. Dispensing mechanisms for these devices range fromopen containers with scoops to coin operated machines. Granular matter,such as sand, can be provided in various colors and can be dispensedfrom storage containers to produce a decorative art form in atransparent receptacle. Likewise, granular food products, such aspowdered candy, can also be dispensed to produce a decorative art formin a receptacle with the added attraction of being edible. However,granular or powdered food products need special care to avoidcontamination.

Thus, there is a need for granular food dispensing system that allowsfor the controlled dispense of the materials and will also avoidcontamination between the dispensing mechanism and the receptacles thatreceive it. In addition, it is desirable to have mechanisms in fooddispensing systems that are compact and efficient in stirring andpropelling the material being dispensed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a powder dispenser apparatus.

In one aspect of the present invention, the dispenser apparatuscomprises a replaceable container for holding a powdered material, adispensing assembly, a powder receptacle to receive the powder and meansto activate the valve assembly, and a removable cover for the dispensingassembly. The replaceable container and the dispensing assembly coverminimize the ambient powder material during dispensing.

In another aspect of the present invention, the dispensing assemblycomprises a sealing feature and a valve actuator rotationally biased bya spring. User operation rotates the valve actuator against it's springbias, thereby moving the valve and opening the sealing feature, allowingpowder to dispense.

The above invention aspects will be made clear in the drawings anddetailed description of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 1B is another perspective view from a different viewing angle ofthe dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 2A is a perspective exploded view of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 2B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewingangle of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3A is a partial perspective view focusing on the valve assemblywith front cover removed.

FIG. 3B is another partial perspective view from a different viewingangle, focusing on the dispensing assembly with front cover removed.

FIG. 4A is a perspective exploded view of the components of thedispensing assembly in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a perspective exploded view of the components of thedispensing assembly in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5A is a perspective exploded view of the valve assembly.

FIG. 5B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewingangle of the valve assembly.

FIG. 6A is a perspective exploded view of the dispensing controlassembly.

FIG. 6B is another perspective exploded view from a different viewingangle of the dispensing control assembly.

In the drawings, the reference numerals are listed below:

10 Powder Dispensing apparatus

11 Replaceable Container

12 Opening

13 Lower End

15 Removable Cover

16 Open Upper End

17 Opening

18 Powder Receptacle

18 a opening

18 b Annular Flange

19 Slot (in channel)

21 Stop Lug

22 Limiting Slot (of Lever)

22 a Front of slot

25 Dispensing assembly

26 Channel

28 Open lower end

34 Valve Actuator

34 a Stop

35 Linking Shaft

36 Actuator Arms

37 Back Frame

37 a back frame stop feature

38 Spring attachment

39 Holes for valve actuator

40 Holes

42 Cylindrical Ends

44 Receptacle holder

45 Mount lugs

47 Mount areas (for springs)

48 Arcuate Slot

49 Control Arms

50 Activation Arm Spring

51 Control Arm Flange

52 Lock Pin

53 Main Spring

54 Lever

55 Lever Flanges

56 Mount Holes

57 Activation member

58 Stop feature

61 Valve assembly

64 Valve member

64 a Sealing feature

64 b Notch

69 Connecting rod

71 Funnel structure

74 Dispensing control assembly

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, itwill be understood by those skilled in the art that these are specificembodiments, and that the present invention may be practiced also indifferent ways that embody the characterizing features of the inventionas described herein.

An embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 1A-6B, is apowder dispensing apparatus 10 comprising a replaceable container 11 forholding a powdered material, such as sand or powdered candy. As shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, the container 11 has an opening 12 in a lower end 13through which the powder flows from the container 11. The apparatus 10further comprises a powder receptacle 18 having an open upper end 18 afor receiving the powder and an annular flange 18 b for insertion intoarcuate slot 48 to activate the dispensing assembly 25 (shown in FIGS.3A and 3B) thereby allowing powder to flow from the container 11 to thereceptacle 18. The powder dispensing apparatus 10 further comprises aremovable cover 15 for the dispensing assembly 25. The cover 15 furthercomprises an opening 17 for receiving the powder receptacle 18.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, the dispensing assembly 25comprises a back frame 37, a valve assembly 61, and a dispensing controlassembly 74. The dispensing control assembly 74 comprises a receptacleholder 44, a pair of flanges 55 connected by a linking rod 69, a pair ofcontrol arms 49 linked by a spring 50, a valve actuator 34, and a pairof main spring 53 (shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B).

As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the back frame 37 comprises a pair of holes39 (one on each side), a second pair of holes 40 (one on each side), apair of back frame stop features 37 a, and a pair of limiting slots 22(one on each side).

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve assembly 61 comprises a funnelstructure 71, a valve member 64, a spring 66, and a spring holder 67.The funnel structure 71 comprises an open upper end 16 for receiving thelower end 13 of the container 11, a channel 26 for guiding the materialbeing dispensed, an open lower end 28, and a slot 19 in the channel 26.The valve member 64 comprises a notch feature 64 b and a sealing feature64 a.

Referencing FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A, the dispensing control assembly 74further comprises a valve actuator 34 whereas the valve actuator 34comprises a linking shaft 35, a pair of actuator arms 36, and a pair ofcylindrical ends 42 having outside diameters slightly smaller than holes39 of the back frame 37, and a stop 34 a. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B,the valve actuator 34 is connected to the back frame 37 with cylindricalends 42 loosely penetrating holes 39 of the back frame 37.

Referencing FIGS. 5A and 5B, the valve member 64 is axially positionedwithin channel 26. When assembled, the notch feature 64 b aligns withthe slot 19 of channel 26. The linking shaft 35 of the valve actuator 34(shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B) pierce through the slot 19 of channel 26 andthe notch feature 64 b. Therefore, the vertical position of valve member64 within the channel 26 is controlled by the rotational position ofvalve actuator 34. When the apparatus is not being operated by the user,the sealing feature 64 a obstructs the open upper end of channel 26thereby preventing flow of powdered material through the channel 26.

Referencing FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B, 6A, and 6B the dispensing controlassembly 74 further comprises a receptacle holder 44, whereas thereceptacle holder 44 comprises a slot structure 44 a, pair of stop lugs21 (one on each side), a pair of pivotal mount lugs 45 (one on eachside), with outside diameters slightly smaller than holes 40 of backframe 37. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B, the receptacle holder 44 furthercomprises a pair of spring mount areas 47 (shown in FIGS. 4B and 6B),one on each side, and arcuate slot 48 (shown in FIGS. 4A and 6A) foraccepting the powder receptacle 18.

Referencing FIGS. 6A and 6B, the control arms 49 each has a flange 51(control arm flange), a first end 49 a, and a second end 49 b. The firstends 49 a of the control arms 49 are biased toward each other by anactivation arm spring 50. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the second ends49 b of the control arms 49 is pivotally attached within the arcuateslot 48 with the lock pins 52. Referencing FIGS. 3A and 3B, thereceptacle holder 44 is axially connected to the back frame 37 with apair of lugs 45 (one on each side), penetrating holes 40 of the backframe 37. Referencing FIGS. 4A and 4B, the receptacle holder 44 isrotationally biased clockwise (as viewed from right side) by a pair ofsprings 53 until lugs 21 contact stop feature 37 a of back frame 37.

Referencing FIGS. 6A and 6B, the dispensing control assembly 74 furthercomprises a lever 54 whereas the lever 54 comprises a pair of leverflanges 55 (one on each side) and a connecting rod 69 connecting thelever flanges 55. The flanges comprise a pair of mount holes 56 (one oneach side), a pair of activation members 57 (one on each flange) on theinside surfaces, and a pair of stop features 58 (one on each side) onthe outside surfaces. The lever 54 is axially connected to thereceptacle holder 44 with the mount lugs 45 of the receptacle holderloosely penetrating through mount holes 56. The activation members 57contact the bottom of the actuator arms 36 of the valve actuator 34 andtherefore is also biased clockwise (as viewed from right side) referenceFIGS. 4A, 4B, and. 6A, until the stop features 58 contact face 22 a ofthe limiting slots 22 of the back frame 37.

Referencing FIGS. 1A-4B, 6A and 6B, in operation, the operator insertsthe flange 18 b of the receptacle 18 through opening 17 of the frontcover 15, and into slot 48 of the receptacle holder 44. This forces thecontrol arms 49 to pivot outward, overcoming the force of the activationarm spring 50. With the control arms pivoted outward, control arm flange51 extends beyond slot 48 and engages lever flanges 55 of lever 54. Theuser continues to push the receptacle 18 further inward causing thereceptacle holder 44, and the lever 54, because the lever flanges 55 oflever 54 are engaged with control arm flanges 51, to rotatecounterclockwise (as seen from right side). With this motion, theactivation members 57 of the lever flanges 55 lift the actuator arms 36of the valve actuator 34 causing the valve actuator 34 and the linkingshaft 35 to rotate clockwise (as seen from right side). Being that thelinking shaft 35 pierces through the slot 44 a of the receptacle holder44, the slot 19 of the funnel channel 27, and the notch feature 64 b ofthe valve member 64, the valve member 64 moves vertically upward withinthe channel 26, causing the sealing feature 30 of the valve 29 to nolonger interfere with the open upper end 27 of the channel 26, therebyallowing the powdered material to flow out of the replaceable container11 through the channel 26 and into the powder receptacle 18.

In addition, if an operator uses an object other than the powderreceptacle (i.e. finger) to press the receptacle holder 44 inward, thecontrol arms 49 do not pivot outward, therefore the control arm flange51 does not engage with lever flanges 55 of the lever 54, therefore theactivation members 57 of lever 54 does not lift the actuator arms 36 ofthe actuator 34, therefore the actuator 34 and linking shaft do notrotate clockwise (as seen from right side), therefore the valve 29 doesnot move vertically upward within the channel 26, thereby the sealingfeature 30 of valve 29 continues to interfere with open upper end 27 ofthe channel 26, therefore the powdered material within the replaceablecontainer 11 does not flow out and through the channel 26 into thepowder receptacle 18.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings illustrate theprinciples, preferred or example embodiments, and modes of assembly andoperation, of the invention; however, the invention is not, and shallnot be construed as being exclusive or limited to the specific orparticular embodiments set forth hereinabove.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a material,comprising: a main frame comprising a first pair of holes and a pair ofstop features; a removable container for holding the material to bedispensed, the container comprising an opening in the lower end; areceptacle for receiving the material being dispensed, the receptaclecomprising a flange; a funnel for receiving the material being dispensedfrom the removable container and guiding the material being dispensed tothe receptacle, the funnel comprising an open upper end and a channel; avalve configured to be moved vertically in the funnel, the valvecomprising a sealing structure, wherein the sealing feature obstructsthe upper opening of the channel of the funnel when the dispensingapparatus is not being operated by a user; a receptacle holder forholding the receptacle, the receptacle holder comprising a pair ofactuating slots to receive the flange of the receptacle, a pair of mountlugs pivotally mount the receptacle holder to the main frame through thefirst pair of holes of the main frame, and a pair of stop lugsprotruding from the receptacle holder; one or more main frame springs,each spring having one end connected to the receptacle holder and theother end connected to the main frame, the springs tilting thereceptacle holder away from the main frame until the stop lugs of thereceptacle holder contact the stop features of the main frame; and alifting means that moves the sealing feature of valve structurevertically upward, allowing the material being dispensed to flow out ofthe replaceable container through the channel of the funnel into thepowder receptacle, the lifting means comprising a lever comprising aload end, a pressure input end, and a pivot, a load coupling means thatmechanically couples the load end of the lever to the valve to lift thesealing feature of the valve structure, and a pressure coupling meansthat mechanically couples the pressure input end of the lever to thereceptacle holder, so that when the receptacle is pushed into thereceptacle holder with the flange of the receptacle received into theactuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pressure input end of thelever will receive pressure to pivot the lever.
 2. The dispensingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pressure input end of thelever comprises: a pair of lever flanges, each lever flange comprising aflat lever flange member, a mount hole in the flat lever flange memberallowing one of the mount lugs of the receptacle loosely fitting intothe mount hole, and an activation member protruding from the main flangemember; and a connecting rod rigidly connecting the main flange membersto each other.
 3. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2, whereinthe pressure coupling means comprises: a pair of control arms, eachcontrol arm having a first end, a second end, and a flange between thefirst end and the second end; a linking spring connecting the first endsof the pair of control arms; and a pair of locking pins; wherein thesecond ends of the control arms are pivotally attached within theactuating slots with the lock pins; and when the when the receptacle ispushed into the receptacle holder with the flange of the receptaclereceived into the actuating slots of the receptacle holder, the pair ofthe control arms are pivoted outward, and the flanges of the controlarms extend beyond the actuating slots and engage the activation membersof the lever flanges.
 4. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 2,wherein the main frame comprises a second pair of holes, and the loadend of the lever comprises a valve actuator, the valve actuatorcomprising: pair of actuator arms, the underside of the actuator armscontacting the activation members of the lever flanges; an elongatedmember rigidly connecting the actuator arms; and a pair of cylindricalends that fit into the second pair of holes in the main frame, allowingthe valve actuator to pivot; wherein the valve actuator can be pushed topivot by the contact between the actuator arms and the activationmembers of the lever flanges when the lever flanges pivot.
 5. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the load couplingmeans comprises: a linking shaft fixed on the valve actuator and canpivot with the valve actuator; a slot in the channel for guiding thematerial being dispensed; and a notch in the valve; wherein the linkingshaft pierces through the slot of the channel into the notch of thevalve, so that the linking shaft can push the valve upward when itpivots.
 6. The dispensing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein thevalve actuator further comprises a stop feature protruding from theelongated member, the stop feature limiting the pivoting range of thevalve actuator by contacting the main frame when the limit of thepivoting range is reached.
 7. The dispensing apparatus according toclaim 5, wherein the main frame further comprises a pair of limitingslots, and each lever flange further comprises a protruding stopfeatures, wherein the stop features fit through the limiting slots andthe limit slots limit the pivoting range of the lever flanges.
 8. Thedispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising aremovable cover to limit ambient powder material during dispensing.